Of Voodoo And Animal Sacrifice

Published: January 26, 1992

Re: "Fighting the Stereotypes of Voodoo," New Jersey Q & A (Jan. 12):

It is disturbing to learn that an individual "enthralled" by voodoo animal sacrifice ceremonies is using Drew University as a bully pulpit to promote what is to most a cruel, bloody and barbaric ritual.

Dr. Karen McCarthy Brown far too patly dismisses the majority who find animal sacrifice an outrage as possessing a "racist mentality." Objecting to the torture, dismemberment and slaughter of sentient animals for sacrifice -- by any group or sect -- has absolutely nothing to do with racism, and much to do with strongly held convictions that mercy and compassion should be extended toward all living creatures. Those who hold these beliefs have as much right to express them as Dr. Brown has to promote animal sacrifice.

Those beliefs are embedded in our culture, and, I might add, our animal cruelty statutes. While the unfortunate bulls, calves, dogs, goats, birds and cats in Haiti have no such legal protection, animals do have it here.

It is noted in the article that Dr. Brown was drawn to voodoo because she became enthralled with a bull sacrifice ceremony -- an event that would sicken most New Jersey residents. Some 400 years ago, Montaigne registered a more common, more compassionate reaction to bloodletting that for many in New Jersey holds true today:

"As for me, I could never so much as endure, without remorse and grief, to see a poor, innocent beast pursued and killed, which is harmless and devoid of defense, and of whom we receive no offense at all."

Those who identify with the most cruel, primitive aspects of human behavior are hardly more "progressive" or understanding than the rest of society. And this is fortunate. Humans were once sacrificed, and gladiator spectacles "enthralled" many. Dogs' tearing bears to shreds in England was once an accepted and legal entertainment.

"Racism" had nothing to do with the abolition of these practices. Compassion, education and enlightenment did. SUSAN RUSSELL Little Silver